South African born Caroline Hobbs-Smith is a distinguished conductor and educator with a passion for inspiring young musicians and fostering musical excellence. With a deep-rooted commitment to the arts, she has led various youth orchestras, ensembles and choirs to success, nurturing talent and encouraging artistic growth. She is committed to broadening access to music education and promoting the transformative power of music in the lives of young people.

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Caroline graduated from the Royal College of Music in 1991, returning to South Africa where she freelanced as a flautist with the National Symphony Orchestra and began conducting through establishing the National School of the Arts Youth Orchestra, the first truly integrated orchestra in a newly emerging democratic South Africa.

Since returning to the UK in 1998, Caroline has built a reputation as a dedicated mentor, helping young musicians realise their potential and excel both individually and collectively. As conductor of the Oxfordshire Schools' Symphony Orchestra (OSSO) from 2008 - 2022, she performed regularly in Oxford as well as touring in many countries across Europe. OSSO were also special award winners in the MFY National Festival for Youth in Birmingham. Under her leadership, the Oxfordshire Youth Flute Choir performed in the presence of the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at their Diamond Jubilee Tea Party in Henley.

Caroline is a sought-after guest conductor and regularly works for the National Childrens’ Orchestra of GB, the Kent County Youth Orchestra, the Jersey Academy Orchestra and the ISIS chamber orchestra as their principal conductor. Other invitations have included the Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, the Derbyshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, the All Saints’ Singers Sutton Courtenay and the Festival Chorus and orchestra for the MAO Avro Pärt Festival 2022.

Caroline is Musical Director and Conductor for TVYO and is thrilled to be part of the team building the exciting future for this wonderful orchestra.